Pub chats in the North West to help producers build drought resilience

Producers in Tasmania’s North West are being encouraged to get along to their local pub and find out about potential agritourism opportunities to help build drought resilience.

Two free ‘pub chats’ will be held in Smithton and Sheffield this month to give producers information on the Tasmanian market for agritourism experiences and assistance to explore the right option for their farm’s future.

The events being delivered by the Tasmanian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (TAS Farm Innovation Hub) in partnership with agribusiness consultants Optimum Standard and Regionality Pty Ltd. 

Allison Clark from Optimum Standard said the pub chats presented a unique opportunity for producers to come together in a casual setting and learn how to enhance their operations in response to a changing climate.

“This event is for farmers, fishers and producers in Tasmania looking for new opportunities to value add or diversify,” Mrs Clark said.

“Agritourism is a great option as it plays a key role in connecting consumers with primary producers so they can learn and experience first-hand the story behind what they eat and how and why they farm. It also connects the consumer to a region’s culture, its land and its people.”

The pub chats are part of the Farm Gate Futures project which aims to build each farmer’s ability to adapt to change.

TAS Farm Innovation Hub Director Sandra Knowles said that may include changing market conditions, technologies or responses to crisis impacts such as floods and drought.

“At the hub, we are particularly focused on encouraging Tasmanian producers to build climate resilience into their business plans,” Ms Knowles said.

“Our changing climate means producers need to be innovative and diversify so they can ride out those periods of uncertainty. 

“Agritourism brings many exciting opportunities, and we are pleased to be able to partner with Optimum Standard and Regionality to explore these ideas with producers in the regions at local pubs.” 

The pub chats will be held:

• Tuesday, 21 March, 6pm-8pm at the Smithton RSL, 124 Nelson Street, Smithton. To register click here.
• Wednesday, 22 March, 6pm-8pm at the Sheffield Hotel and Pub, 38 Main Street, Sheffield. To register click here.

Registrations are required for catering purposes.

The TAS Farm Innovation Hub is one of eight hubs nationally funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. The hub is based at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture at the University of Tasmania and delivered through an extensive network of industry and community partners. 

Media contact:
Melissa Lewarn
melissa.lewarn@utas.edu.au
0427 354 058

Information released by:
Communications Office University of Tasmania
+61 3 6226 2124
Communications.Office@utas.edu.au
Twitter.com/utas